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Get On Track - FunDays

Driving Rules
Safety on the track is the most important consideration. Drive within your limits. Anyone repeatedly driving in an unsafe manor or ignoring the rules will be subject to ejection from the track.

All open cars and convertibles must have a roll bar, reinforced factory rollover protection; similar to a Porsche Boxter or BMW M3.

All loose items must be removed from the interior, glove compartment and trunk. Hubcaps and trim rings should be removed. Examples of items to remove include floor mats, radar detector, cell phone, coins, pens, paper, rags, oil, cleaning supplies, etc.

Driver’s window must be completely open. Passenger window must be either completely open or completely closed. Sunroofs and vent windows if equipped must be completely closed.

Use the following procedure to enter the track from pit lane while a driving session is underway. Pull up to the start/finish tower and wait to be waved through; move out of the pit lane briskly when waved by; stay to the right side of the track through Turn 1; check your mirrors to be certain you are not being overtaken as you enter the track. Do not exit pit lane slowly after being waved by the start/finish tower person; if you do, you run the risk of being overtaken by a car on the pit straight.

Use the following procedure to enter the pit lane from the track. As you approach Turn 12, put your arm out the window and as high up as possible; stay to the right side of the track through Turn 13; and pull into the pit lane slowly.

Flagging instructions: You will see corner workers with flags at strategic points around the track. These corner workers are the “traffic cops” of the road course. The basic flags being used are yellow, black, red and checkered.

Be attentive to the flag stations. Watch for flags being displayed and acknowledge with a nod of the head or a wave of the hand. Failure to comply with flag instructions could be hazardous to you and to others.

Passing is permitted in only two locations: the pit straight and the back straight. Do not try to pass after the bridge on the pit straight or after Flag Station 11 on the back straight. You may not pass a car until the driver of the car in front of you signals you to pass.

Watch your mirrors! If a car is obviously overtaking you or appears faster in the turns, signal the car to pass. The obligation for a safe pass falls primarily on the passing car, but, once you have signaled a car to pass, it is your obligation to let that overtaking car pass, even if you must slow down to allow the pass.

Do not group together in a pack or tailgate the car in front of you. If you find yourself running in a pack, or if the car in front will not signal you to pass, slow for a lap or two to let the other cars disperse. You can also pull into pit lane and be restarted with plenty of open track between cars.

At the conclusion of a session, the checkered flag will be given at the start/finish tower. After receiving the checkered flag, proceed around the track at a reduced speed for a “cool down” lap and enter the pit lane slowly.

If a flag station gives you a black flag, acknowledge the flag with a nod of your head or a wave of your hand and proceed around the track to the pit lane. Stop at the start/finish tower to discuss the problem with the track personnel. It could be a mechanical problem that a corner worker observed, or, if you are not following the driving rules, it could be a reminder on the course regulations.

If a red flag is displayed at any flag station, stop as quickly and safely as you can, keeping in mind that there may be other cars traveling at high speeds behind you. Pull slowly to the side of the track in a location that you can see a flag station. Do not start out again until signaled by a flag station. Once told by the corner workers that it is safe to continue, proceed to the pit lane at reduced speed.

Recommendations in case of trouble: If you err in judgment and lose control, the best general rule is to lock up all four wheels and keep them locked until you are completely stopped. If you see you are going to run off the track and, if you still have control, drive off straight. Do not make an attempt to hold the car on track, which results in a sideways slide off track or backing across the track into oncoming traffic. Your chances of escaping unscathed by driving off under control are much better.

If you do go off track, wait for a corner worker to signal you that it is safe to proceed. Anyone driving off course or spinning (either on-track or off-track) must pit for consultation. After time to “settle down” after the incident, you may continue in the session provided there is no damage to your vehicle.

If you experience a problem and feel you can’t make it back to the pit lane, do not stop on the track to inspect your vehicle. Remember that there is access to the paddock at two places around the track. The first access point is driver’s right at Turn 4 (Oak Tree). Pull off track and follow the old pavement to a break in the tire wall. The second access point is driver’s right at Turn 11. Again, follow the old pavement to the infield gate. Use the access roads back to the paddock area or stop at the flag station for assistance.

If you can’t make it safely off the track at the above-mentioned locations, pull completely off the track and as close to the tire wall as possible. Get out of the vehicle and stand behind the tire wall for protection. Signal to the nearest flag station that you need help or that you are ok. A corner worker will come and provide assistance so please stop as close to the flag stations as possible.

Flag Rules
Yellow
This is a signal of danger and should be shown to drivers in two ways with the following meanings:

Stationary: Reduce your speed, do not pass and be prepared to change direction. There is a hazard beside or partly on the track.

Waved: Reduce your speed, do not pass and be prepared to change direction or stop. There is a hazard wholly or partly blocking the track.

Red
A red flag indicates serious trouble on the course. Red flags will be displayed at all flag stations if an emergency situation occurs. All cars must come to a stop as quickly and safely as possible.
Black
This flag should be used to inform the driver concerned that either his car has mechanical problems likely to endanger himself, or he has violated one of the driving rules. The designated driver should acknowledge the flag with a nod of the head or a wave of the hand and proceed to the pit lane. Failure to respond to a black flag may result in expulsion from the track.
Checkered
Signifies the end of session. Proceed around the track at a reduced speed for a “cool down” lap and return to pit lane.